New-York tribune., 1887-12-12
BARRET AND BOOTH IN TOW-.
THEATRE MAY BE BUILT FOR THEM HERZ-MR
BARRFTT's TALK ABOUT 1T.

THEATRE MAY BE BUILT FOR THEM HERE-MR
BARRFTT's TALK ABOUT 1T.
Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett passed through
this city yesterday on their way from Philadelphia to
Boston. where they Will appear tonght. They spent
only two hours here, which Mr. Booth passed in visit
ing sister. but reporter was fortunate enough to
find Mr. Barrett at the Everett House lie is looking
we'll, and his increased managerial cares SIT lightly
his shoulders. In reply to question about the bush
ness in Philadelphia, Mr.. Barrett said: 1T sim
ply phenomenal We played julius Cesar all ths
first week looked for little drop toward the end
of the week the people there arc not accustomed
to have one tragedy played continuously. But In
stead of dropping, the business Iept Increasing last
week equally good Yesterday VIC had the largest
matinee audience in the theatre, and at night,
though 1t had raned heavily all day, the crowd was
little less Quite as pleasing the receipts has
been the appreciation Of the public and the critics tnas
has everywhere greeted us.r
"There have been many reports, Mr.. BaFrett, about
the possibility of your having New-York theatre
What amount Of truth is there in theml'
"I think may say that the project is now assuni-
ing definite shape. For two or three years there
have been PEOPLE wanting to build me theatre, but
/ did not think the time ripe. Moreover such an
enterprise must be approached very carefully. IL
very easy to build a theatre that will cost SO much
that It cannot pay either owner or lessee. To get
ground in a desirable location, and so TO arrange
theatre that while possessing plenty of wide exits on
to main thoroughfares, It shall be only part OF
building, tho remainder Of which can also DO advan
tageousy let, Is extremely different matter have
now, however, two propositions, both Of which seem
TO have overcome this fundamental difficulty. When
return to New York, in fortnights time, shall
consider both carcfully-and probably como 20 soms
decision"
"Would Mr. Booth be associated with you In this
enterprise3'
"Yes. Our present contract runs for only one mora
year. but Il will undoubtedly be renewed whether we
travel come here.'
Have you any particular novelty under consders
ton ia the construction of the auditorium of the pro-
posed theatrcl 2"
NO i think several Of American theatres
come near perfection far the comfort Of the audi
cnce Is concerned .
Did you see Mr. Irvings plan for safe theairel'
al did. but though have the highest respect iof
Mr. Irvlngs ability as both actor and manager, do
think his idea could DO successfully caFrea ous
here The putting of the gallery at the back OF @ .ns
parquette seems to to be opposed to modern ideE
Of theatrical construction. In my young days nearly
all the theatres were built in the SHAPE pu.
this has disappeared In favor of the ehptcaL Ihe
object now is TO get your audience as close to you
possible / appreciate the advantages OF having ony
two foors but now IT IS possible to construct SO thor
oughly fre-proof a theatre that do not consider
second balcony a material objection"
"woud there 10 anything new about the s'as''
"When Mr.. Booth was playing in Vienna he saw
the model OF stage, any part OF which couil r % ~
most instantly lowered sunk, and the part, rased
could lie tilted angle. Moreover, the hole sag
from the footlights to tho back could be SO raised
to form an immense inclined plane. He at once ssn
that such stage would he Of almost ncalculablc ad
vantage If new theatre should be built for U.s. IN"
principle would be closely inquired into'
What are your plans for next seasoni" IT,,
"We shall play a long engagement OF ten or twei,o
weeks the Fifth Avenue Theatre early In the seasoH
We shall do several plays there, including the Me'
chant of Venice We shall play only JULIUS eSs.t
for the coming two weeks hero. because ihd - ,ns @
ala afA nf Anr ueaA
shall do next will be well presented a "
can possibly have it."